The Senate confirmed John Ratcliffe as the next director of the CIA on Thursday as Republicans prepare for weekend votes on two more national security picks.
Ratcliffe faced a brief delay to his nomination from Democrats questioning his independence from President Donald Trump.
He was confirmed easily on Thursday, with 20 Democrats and one independent voting in favor. But a bloc of senators kept Republicans from fast-tracking his nomination. A vote had initially been expected on Tuesday.
Ratcliffe’s confirmation hands Trump the second member of his Cabinet after Secretary of State Marco Rubio was unanimously approved on Inauguration Day.
Next up will be Pete Hegseth, the scandal-plagued nominee to lead the Pentagon. He is expected to narrowly clear a test vote on Wednesday afternoon, teeing up confirmation on Friday night.
Then the Senate will consider Kristi Noem, Trump’s choice for homeland secretary. Her confirmation vote will take place in the early morning hours on Sunday, per a GOP aide.
Republicans have decided to stay the weekend to get more of Trump’s Cabinet in place, with an emphasis on national security nominees.
Tulsi Gabbard, Trump’s choice for director of national intelligence, had been delayed as senators, concerned about her perceived sympathy to Russia, waited for her full FBI background check.
The Senate Intelligence Committee is now proceeding with her nomination, however, with a confirmation hearing scheduled for Jan. 30.
Ratcliffe’s previous tenure as director of national intelligence helped pave the way for his confirmation on Thursday. He earned the support of most Democrats on the Senate Intelligence Committee, including its ranking member, Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA).
But Ratcliffe, a former House lawmaker from Texas, has had to overcome objections from Democrats who claim he is too loyal to Trump and would politicize the CIA.
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In 2019, he was forced to withdraw his nomination as DNI amid questions about his lack of experience. Senate Republicans later warmed to him after Trump appointed Ric Grenell, a vocal loyalist, to the role on an acting basis.
At the time, 44 senators, all caucusing with Democrats, voted against his eventual confirmation as DNI.
Samantha-Jo Roth contributed to this report.
